Central Heating (1977)
The second album by Heatwave — and a great effort that’s almost as perfectly sublime as the first! Despite their UK origin, these guys really give American late 70s soul a run for its money — hitting in a sweetly compressed sound that fuses the vocals, keyboards, and grooves together wonderfully! The album hits equally well on all burners — with some key mellowcuts, and a few funkier upbeat numbers. Titles include loads of classics — like “Mind Blowing Decisions”, “Star Of A Story”, “Groove Line”, “Send Out For Sunshine”, and “Leavin For A Dream”. (DGA, Inc)
Tracks:
1.Put the Word Out
2.Send Out For Sunshine
3.Central Heating
4.Happiness Togetherness
5.Groove Line, The
6.Mind Blowing Decisions
7.Star of a Story, The
8.Party Poops
9.Leavin’ For a Dream
**Listen**
Heatwave – Central Heating (1977)
Enero 31, 2009 a 1:20 pm (Funk, Soul Funk)
Barry White – Can’t Get Enough (1974)
Enero 30, 2009 a 3:51 pm (Soul Funk)
Can’t Get Enough (1974)
By 1974 Barry White had two great albums under his belt (‘I’ve Got So Much To Give’ and ‘Stone Gon’), as well as an album he conducted with Love Unlimited Orchestra, an all-female ensemble. The Maestro was riding high and rightly so, people were addicted to his fresh and unique sound, a mix of deep bass vocals with a full orchestra and inviting riffs and melodies. ‘Can’t Get Enough’ is another shining example of his body of work in the 70s. The two featured songs ‘You’re The First, The Last, My Everything’ and ‘Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe’ are still as incredible as they were back in the day. Throughout this album The Maestros arrangements are On Point, the orchestral grooves and muscianship, combined with the contrast of his deep vocals and the female back up make for an altogether dreamy and engaging soundscape. Overall this third album is yet another classic, few artists can compete with The Maestros mightily impressive 70s back catalogue. (Amazon)
Tracks:
1. Mellow Mood (Pt. I)
2. You’re The First, The Last, My Everything
3. I Can’t Believe You Love Me
4. Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe
5. Oh Love, Well We Finally Made It
6. I Love You More Than Anything (In This World Girl)
7. Mellow Mood (Pt. II)
**Listen**
The Unlimited Orchestra – Rhapsody In White (1974)
Enero 30, 2009 a 3:21 pm (Soul Funk)
Rhapsody In White (1974)
The press may have dubbed Barry White “the walrus of love,” but he was certainly the guru of something for many star crossed lovers across his Love Unlimited Orchestra output. While White rocketed up the charts with his solo “I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little Bit More” in 1973, it was that same year’s smash single “Love’s Theme” that shot Love Unlimited Orchestra right up alongside him. Mostly instrumental, all orchestral, and packed with “that” tchka tchka guitar and full-fledged disco sound well before the genre reached maturity, Rhapsody in White set the stage and showcased the sounds that would shortly inspire a generation of producers, arrangers, and performers to start a million mirror balls spinning the world over. This album, in all its admitted smarminess, is a triumph. From the opening bars of “Barry’s Theme,” Rhapsody in White unleashes a groove which really keeps it all mellow. And even though we have to listen through three tracks to first hear White’s trademarked vocal come-on on “Midnight and You” it’s well worth the wait. He gets a little more vocal on side two, across “Don’t Take It All Away” and again at the beginning of “Baby Blues,” which has shag rug in front of a fireplace written all over its arrangement. But the masterful finale, of course, is “Love’s Theme.” The song’s lush strings and smooth wah-wah guitars not only typified a genre, they also became an aural catchphrase for an entire generation of clubbers. And because this is, underneath it all, a Barry White album, the teaser for the nightcap is delicious. (AMG)
Tracks:
1. Barry’s Theme
2. Rhapsody in White
3. Midnight and You
4. I Feel Love Coming On
5. Baby Blues
6. Don’t Take It Away from Me
7. What a Groove
8. Love’s Theme
**Listen**
The Blackbyrds – Action/Better Days (1995)
Enero 30, 2009 a 12:20 am (Funk, Soul)
Action/Better Days (1995)
Two of the later Blackbyrds LPs on one CD! Action’s one of their great ones, and it’s got a cool mellow vibe that’s different than their earlier funkier stuff. It also includes the great cut “Mysterious Vibes”, which was sampled by someone not too long ago. Also with the cuts “Supernatural Feeling”, “Soft and Easy”, and “Street Games”. Better Days has a bit of a modern soul feel, with more of the later Fantasy production style, and the tracks “Do It Girl”, “What’s On Your Mind”, and “Love Don’t Strike Twice”. (DGA, Inc)
Tracks:
1. Supernatural Feeling
2. Lookin’ Ahead
3. Mysterious Vibes
4. Something Special
5. Street Games
6. Soft and Easy
7. Dreaming About You
8. Dancin’ Dancin’
9. Lonelies for Your Love
10. Better Days
11. Do It Girl
12. Without Your Love
13. Do You Wanna Dance?
14. Love Don’t Strike Twice
15. What’s on Your Mind
16. Don’t Know What to Say
17. What We Have Is Right
**Listen**
Con Funk Shun – Electric Lady (1985)
Enero 29, 2009 a 5:20 pm (Funk)
Electric Lady (1985)
This was unlike any album Con Funk Shun had recorded to date. Not only did the group contribute minimal writing, but the only production credit was the uncharted single “Turn the Music Up.” Intending to try something new without forsaking their appeal and sound, the group solicited various producers, even though group members Felton Pilate and Michael Cooper were credited as arrangers on a couple of selections. And after nearly a two-year absence from the R&B Top Ten, the group returned with the number four single “Electric Lady,” with veteran producer Larry Smith at the helm. The synthesized single is basically a rap song, led by Michael Cooper’s monotone vocals. During its time, it was one of the closest any R&B group had come to recording a rap song. The follow-up, “I’m Leaving Baby,” was an urbanized ballad featuring Cooper’s lead vocals. Electric Lady also spawned the number 47 single “Tell Me What You’re Gonna Do.” With its electronic synthesizer approach, the Felton Pilate-led single was also produced by Smith. This album is full of competent selections; any one of them, such as “Pretty Lady” and “Don’t Go,” would have been a wise choice as a release. (AMG)
Tracks:
1. Turn the Music Up
2. Rock It All Night
3. I’m Leaving Baby
4. Tell Me What You’re Gonna Do
5. Electric Lady
6. Don’t Go
7. Circle of Love
8. Pretty Lady
**Listen**
Kleeer – License To Dream (1981)
Enero 28, 2009 a 11:17 pm (Disco, Funk, Soul)
License To Dream (1981)
Wrapped in one of the most creatively corny sleeve designs imaginable — an actual license to dream signed by “B. Positive” and “D. Termination,” who have suspiciously identical handwriting — the third Kleeer album was the group’s most successful, despite being powered only by a couple moderately popular singles, neither of which would ever be considered the group’s defining work. The album maintains the rare balance of slickness and grittiness (topped only by Slave and Cameo) of 1979’s Winners, and it’s a little heavier on ballads and synthesizer work. If it weren’t for its silly John Wayne impersonation (years before Shawn Brown’s “Rappin’ Duke”), “Get Tough” wouldn’t be too distinguishable from the raft of simply functional funk singles of the year, but the follow-up, “Running Back to You,” works a dramatic midtempo groove as well as the Gap Band’s “Early in the Morning” — and in this case, the protagonist is more forthcoming about why things went wrong and is desperate to straighten them out. “Say You Love Me” should’ve been a regular presence on quiet storm programs, and a couple other cuts — “Hypnotized,” “Where Would I Be (Without Your Love)” — demonstrate the shortcomings of the two Kleeer anthologies that appeared before the dawn of the 2000s. (AMG)
Tracks:
1. De Kleeer Ting
2. Running Back to You
3. Sippin’ & Kissin’
4. Hypnotized
5. License to Dream
6. Get Tough
7. Say You Love Me
8. Where Would I Be (Without Your Love)
**Listen**
Rick James – Bustin’ Out: The Very Best of R. J. (1994)
Enero 28, 2009 a 1:56 am (Funk)
Bustin’ Out: The Very Best of Rick James (1994)
In the late ’70s and early ’80s, Rick James did more than anyone to challenge George Clinton’s place on the funk throne. Eventually, his music would turn into a very tired cliché, but at his creative peak, James was among the most exciting and vital artists funk had to offer. Summarizing his Motown output from 1978-1986 and offering four new tracks from 1994 as well, this two-CD anthology reminds you just how great he once was, but it provides evidence of his artistic decline as well. Though some of the songs are mediocre, most are outstanding. Even the most casual funk fans owe it to themselves to savor such rowdy classics as “Super Freak,” “You and I,” “Love Gun,” “Give It to Me Baby,” and “Ghetto Life.” James was equally superb when it came to soul ballads — and anyone who thinks otherwise should give a serious listen to “Fire and Desire” (a stunning duet with Teena Marie), “Dream Maker,” and “Ebony Eyes” (which features Smokey Robinson). Sadly, “Cold Blooded” and “17″ illustrate how formulaic James’ funk often sounded by the mid-’80s. Meanwhile, some of the new material (including an enjoyable remake of Norman Connors’ “You Are My Starship”) indicated that he had the potential to make a comeback with the right guidance. Boasting many more pluses than minuses, this set is the best place for novices to start. (AMG)
Tracks:
CD1
1. You and I
2. Mary Jane
3. Dream Maker
4. Bustin’ Out (On Funk)
5. Love Gun
6. Big Time
7. Give It to Me Baby
8. Super Freak
9. Ghetto Life
10. Fire and Desire
11. Standing on the Top
12. Hard to Get
13. She Blew My Mind (69 Times)
14. Dance Wit’ Me
CD2
1.Teardrops
2. Cold Blooded
3. U Bring the Freak Out
4. Ebony Eyes
5. 17
6. You Turn Me On
7. Glow
8. Moonchild
9. Divine Love (So Fine)
10. Serious Love (Spend the Night)
11. Starship
12.Down by Law
13.Medley
Listen: **CD1** / *CD2*
Disco Super Hits (Sony Recopilation 1998)
Enero 27, 2009 a 10:05 pm (Disco Funk)
Disco Hits – 1998
Tracks:
01. Love Train -The Ojay’s
02. The Groove Line – Heatwave
03. Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
04. Do It Anyway You Wanna – People’s Choice
05. Dazz – Brick
06. Nights (Feel Like Gettin’ Now) – Billy Ocean
07. Black Betty – Ram Jam
08. You Stepped Into My Life – Melba Moore
09. Lovegirl – Teena Marie
10. Love Is The Message – MFSB featuring The Three Degrees
**Listen**
Brian Culberston – Bringing Back the Funk (2008)
Enero 26, 2009 a 1:36 pm (Modern Funk)
Bringing Back the Funk [2008]
In the 14 years since the Illinois-born and bred composer, producer, and keyboard whiz released his debut Long Night Out at the age of 21, he’s evolved from a shy kid writing cheerful pop songs in a bedroom studio to one of contemporary jazz’s most electrifying A-list performers. His fan base is large enough that he would have made a killing even had chosen to simply follow the easy grooving candlelit approach of his last non-holiday CD It’s on Tonight with something similarly low-key and seductive. Fortunately for everyone who had been complaining that smooth jazz artists had been getting way too predictable in the latter 2000s, he had the pull and the wherewithal to make his dreams come true and seriously bring back the groove with just about every heavy hitting funkateer from the ’70s. The cover shot of “little Culby” sitting and listening on headphones says it all — he was a tyke when his guest list was defining all that was cool and happening. The luminaries included one-time James Brown bassist Bootsy Collins and Phelps “Catfish” Collins plus members of the Rubber Band and the Horny Horns (all out of P-Funk); Larry Graham (the slap bass great of Sly & the Family Stone and his own Graham Central Station — no laid-back “One in a Million You” happening here!); Larry Dunn and Sheldon Reynolds (Earth, Wind & Fire); Greg Adams (Tower of Power), Tony Maiden and Bobby Watson (Rufus), Michael Bland, Cora Dunham, and Rhonda Smith (from Prince’s bands), solo stars Ray Parker, Jr., David T. Walker, Ronnie Laws, Gerald Albright, Tom Scott, Paul Jackson, Jr., Perri, etc. Modern neo-soul was well represented as well, with Ledisi swaying dreamily through horn accents and multiple keyboard flavors on Bill Withers’ lightly obscure gem “The World Keeps Going Around” and Musiq (Soulchild) slammin’ it with urban sax god Gerald Albright, a sea of crunching horns and Culbertson’s bright chordings on “Hollywood Swinging.” Culbertson’s choice of covers, which includes Candy Dulfer and Prince vocalist Chance Howard’s urgent command from TOP that “You Got to Funkifize” (featuring Adams on trumpet), is inspired, but he also co-wrote a batch of gems that stand proudly alongside the classics. Reynolds and Collins are among the co-writers of the bright, brass splashed “Funkin’ Like My Father” that comes across like an invitation to the party with a series of vocalists connecting past to present. The EWF-inspired Culbertson-Reynolds co-write “Always Remember” shows that no matter how crazy he gets with the production, Culbertson is still a joyfully melodic jazz keyboardist at heart. Other original highlights include the simmering gospel-blues number “The House of Music” (Graham and Laws are the billed stars, but Ricky Peterson’s Hammond B-3 carries the soul), and the buoyant piano and horn section dance dubbed “The Groove” Parker (who cut his teeth on R&B sessions a decade before “Ghostbusters”) chimes in on the percussive, two-minute interlude throw down “Excuse Me…What’s Your Name?” which features Culbertson on the trombone, trumpet and Mini-Moog. An even more powerful party all night affair than Dulfer’s magnificent Candy Store was the previous year, Bringing Back the Funk is Culbertson’s masterwork that took contemporary urban jazz to a whole new level in 2008. (AMG)
Tracks:
1. Funkin’ Like My Father
2. Always Remember
3. Hollywood Swinging
4. he House of Music
5. You Got to Funkifize
6. The Groove
7. The World Keeps Going Around
8. Excuse Me… What’s Your Name?
9. Voices Inside (Everything Is Everything)
10. Let’s Stay in Tonight
**Listen**
Brick – Summer Heat (1981)
Enero 26, 2009 a 12:56 am (Funk)
Summer Heat (1981) ( Vinyl remasterized by SFJ)
Although best remembered for their chart-topping 1976 single “Dazz,” Brick nevertheless carved a nice niche for themselves in the annals of jazzy funk and the release of their final album, Summer Heat, saw them exit the stage in a blaze of glory. Under the nimble fingers of producer Ray Parker, Jr., they hashed together a solid set. And while Parker may now be better-known for penning the hit theme song to 1984’s Ghostbusters soundtrack, he is better known in funk circles for his earlier unions with Barry White, Rufus, Bobby Womack, and Herbie Hancock among others. It is this rich musical portfolio that helped Brick reach back to their own halcyon days to create such a superb sound. The urgent “Sweat (Til You Get Wet)” is pure early era Brick, packed with solid horn breaks, sexy guitars, and jamming bridge. As a single, the song deservedly returned the band back in the Top Ten. “Wide Open” also reins in the beat enough to create an instant party. But, although we know that Brick can stand alone with energetic funk fests, the band also proves themselves equally proficient and comfortable with a mellower mood. Both “Sea Side Vibes” and the Ray Parker, Jr.-penned “Babe” are effective soul ballads. And, even though Brick disbanded not long after Summer Heat, they managed to cap a musical canon with panache. Not many bands can claim that feat. (AMG)
Tracks:
1. Sweat (Till You Get Wet)
2. I Want You to Know (That I’m in Love With You)
3. Wide Open
4. Sea Side Vibes
5. Right Back (Where I Started From)
6. Babe
7. The Happening
8. Summer Heat
9. Sure Feels Good
**Listen**
Kleeer – Winners (1979)
Enero 25, 2009 a 10:43 pm (Disco, Funk, Soul)
Winners (1979)
By the time Winners was wrapped up in the studio, Kleeer were riding high on the disco wave, thanks in no small part to the smash singles on their debut record, “Keeep Your Body Workin’” and “Tonight’s the Night.” With Winners, the group deviates a slight bit, with less straightforward uptempo in-your-face disco and more of an R&B slant than before. The title track stays in fine disco form, but things slow down right away with two borderline quiet storm jams in “I Still Love You” and “Your Way.” The rest of the album is pretty upbeat, and Winners definitely eludes the cursed sophomore slump that most bands fear. (AMG)
Tracks
1. Winners
2. I Still Love You
3. Your Way
4. Close to You
5. Rollin’ On
6. Nothin’ Said
7. Hunger for Your Love
8. Open Your Mind
**Listen**
Hola nuevamente, Hello Again.
Enero 25, 2009 a 10:12 pm (Uncategorized)
We appreciate the support and will continue to share this music that we like. Enjoy and stay tuned to your blog.
SoulFunkJazz
Enero 19, 2009 a 11:03 pm (Uncategorized)
Soon we will be back.
Thanks for your support.
Pronto estaremos de regreso.
Gracias por el apoyo.
Notice.
Enero 17, 2009 a 12:37 pm (Uncategorized)
Today I have seen with nuisances such as Zoom Bentlyfunk appeared in 1983, blog no longer visited by poor sound quality. The announcement was a follower of our Blog.
Hoy he visto con molestía como Zoom de 1983 apareció en Bentleyfunk, blog que se carateriza por tener mucho y mal sonido. El aviso fue de un seguidor de nuestro Blog.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Message (1982)
Enero 16, 2009 a 7:49 pm (Rap Funk)
The Message (1982)
Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five merged the Afrocentric consciousness expressed by such early rappers as Gil Scott-Heron and the Last Poets with b-boy production to create “The Message,” an all-time rap anthem. It was the focal point of this LP, which also included “It’s Nasty” and “Scorpio,” two other strong cuts that might have been winners on their own. Unfortunately, rather than a starting point, this album proved to be their ultimate peak. (AMG)
Tracks:
1. She’s Fresh
2. It’s Nasty
3. Scorpio
4. It’s a Shame (Mt. Airy Groove)
5. Dreamin’
6. You Are
7. The Message
8. The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel
**Lïsten**
Trouble Funk – Drop The Bomb (1982)
Enero 16, 2009 a 7:29 pm (Rap Funk)
Drop The Bomb (1982)
Masters of Washington, D.C.’s ’80s go-go craze, Trouble Funk brought early hip-hop (the group was part of Sugarhill Records) to the dancefloor with deep bass, propulsive rhythms, and party lyrics. Being even more inspired by ’70s funk bands like Chic, Cameo, and the Gap Band than either the Sugarhill Gang or Grandmaster Flash, Trouble Funk and other go-go acts like E.U. and Chuck Brown used the MC to conduct party-time call-and-response sessions and not generally for street poetry raps à la Melle Mel and Kurtis Blow. A celebratory atmosphere certainly prevails on Sequel Records’ fine Trouble Funk collection Drop the Bomb, with many of the band’s prime dance hits like the title track, “Get on Up,” and “Let’s Get Hot” being featured in their extended versions. The band’s nasty synth licks, upfront percussion, and sinewy funk guitar lines keep the music pumping throughout, while both the go-go/rap hybrid “Pump Me Up” and Barry White-inspired soul ballad “Don’t Try to Use Me” show off the group’s musical flexibility. The set is rounded out with the ten-minute, bring-the-house-down jam “Supergrit,” which nicely incorporates the funk of Kool & the Gang and Earth, Wind & Fire into the go-go mix. This is a great introduction to both Trouble Funk’s music and the go-go sound. (AMG)
Tracks:
1. Hey Fellas
2. Get on Up
3. Let’s Get Hot
4. Drop the Bomb
5. Pump Me Up
6. Don’t Try to Use Me
7. Supergrit
8. Hey Fellas (12″ Short Version)
**Listen**
Ingram – The Best Of Ingram (1996)
Enero 16, 2009 a 6:09 pm (Funk, Modern Soul, Pop, Synthesizer rhythm)
The Best Of Ingram (1996)
A collection of recordings by the family group from Camden, NJ (not to be confused with James Ingram). The 16 songs include ballads, mid-tempos, like “Would You Like to Fly” and “Smoothin’ Groovin’,” and disco numbers, with the slow stuff (i.e., “Just for You,” “Driving Me Crazy,” “Share a Dream,” and “Fantasy”) all led by Johnny Ingram’s heartfelt tenor. The five brothers — Johnny, Butch, William, Robert, and James (aka Jimi Ingram) — were a multi-talented crew deserving of more press, gloss, and floss, but it just wasn’t in the cards. (AMG)
Tracks:
1. Just for You
2. DJ’s Delight
3. With You
4. Drivin’ Me Crazy
5. I Like It
6. When You’re Hot, You’re Hot
7. Would You Like to Fly
8. Share a Dream
9. Smoothin’ Grooving
10. Mi Sabrina Tequana
11. No One
12. Fantasy
13. Groovin’ on a Grov
14. We Like to Do
15. Music Has the Power
16. Everybpdy Get on up and Get Down
**Listen**
Lakeside – Shot Of Love (1978)
Enero 16, 2009 a 3:36 pm (Funk)
Shot Of Love [1978]
Shot of Love has often been called Lakeside’s debut album, but in fact, it was Lakeside’s second. In 1977, Lakeside came out with an album that didn’t go very far, and it was Shot of Love that made the band well known. Fueling the success of this album (which first came out on Solar and was reissued on CD by The Right Stuff in 1997) was the gutsy funk smoker “It’s All the Way Live,” and almost as strong are the infectious title song and the classy soul ballads “Given In to Love” and “Visions of My Mind.” But as much as Shot has going for it, the album on the whole isn’t outstanding — enjoyable certainly, but not outstanding. A product of Ohio’s rich funk scene, Lakeside was so live-oriented that it seemed to hold back a bit in the studio. (It’s absolutely insane that Solar never released a double live Lakeside set.) Shot of Love was the first Lakeside release to boast one of its famous thematic covers — this one depicted the funksters as Robin Hood-type archers, whereas on future recordings, they’d be everything from pirates (Fantastic Voyage) to jockeys (Keep on Moving Straight Ahead) to genies (Your Wish Is My Command). (AMG)
Tracks:
1. Shot of Love
2. Hold on Tight
3. One Minute After Midnight
4. Time
5. Given in to Love
6. It’s All the Way Live
7. Visions of My Mind
**Listen**
Zoom – Blasting Off (1983)
Enero 16, 2009 a 12:19 am (Funk)
Blasting Off (1983)
Zoom nació en los Angeles y estubo a cargo de ellos, James Gadson, quien fuera miembro del grupo “The Carpets” originario de la ciudad de Kansas. Nolans Semien vocalista principal de la banda cantaba en bares antes de unirse al grupo.
Zoom en su trayectoria grabó dos larga duracion, el primero en Polydor Records en el año 1981 (Saturday, Saturday Night) y el segundo en MCA Records entre Julio del 82 y Febrero del 83. En su segundo trabajo no contaria con la participación del baterista James Gadson, esta vez seria George Mitchell. Nolan Semien (Dr. SIMCO) seguiria siendo el vocalista de la banda en sus dos albumes. En los teclados S. Todd Duncan y Marcus Robinson, en el bajo John Haynes, los bronces a cargo de Darry Williams y Henri Prejean. El guitarrista Floyd Bonner solo estaria en su primera produccion. El album ” Blasting Off” estubo producido por el mismisimo Zoom, Reggie Dozier e Isaac Gorden Powell.
Ahora Soulfunkjazz deja una imperdible pieza de colección para los amantes del funk.
Tracks:
1. Blasting Off
2. Sexy Sassy
3. Ready To Roll
4. Give It All I’ve Got
5. If You Don’t Want To Party Go Home
6. Next Door Neighbords
7. Let Your Fingers Do The Walking
8. Baby Let Me Get Next To You
**Listen**
Level 42 – Remixes (1988)
Enero 11, 2009 a 5:22 pm (Electronic, Pop, Synthesizer rhythm)
Remixes 1988. Polygram.
Tracks:
1. The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)
2. Something About You
3. Children Say
4. Hot Water
5. Running in the Family
6. Love Games
7. The Chinese Way
8. (Flying on The) Wings of Love
9. Two Hearts Collide
10. Lessons in Love
11. The Hit Combination
**Listen**
